• Weather Station Technology:
  • Dan's personal weather station stopped working, prompting a discussion on what to look for in a new one.
  • Basic weather stations measure temperature and precipitation, but more advanced ones can measure barometric pressure, wind speed, and direction.
  • Historical context: National Weather Service coop stations have provided temperature and precipitation data for 152 years.
  • Importance of proper placement and calibration for accurate wind speed and direction measurements.
• Types of Weather Stations:
  • Wired vs. wireless weather stations.
  • Different types of anemometers: cup anemometers, wind socks, and sonic anemometers.
  • Tipping bucket rain gauges and heated rain gauges for winter measurements.
• Forecasting Capabilities:
  • Some weather stations can predict weather based on barometric pressure trends.
  • More advanced stations can use GPS data to pull forecasts from larger services.
• Community Weather Networks:
  • Discussion on the CoCoRaHS network (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network) and its importance for monitoring weather conditions.
  • How to join CoCoRaHS: Purchase a rain gauge, register online, and report daily observations.
  • Importance of consistent data reporting for federal and state programs.
• Data Verification and Usage:
  • Personal weather stations can help verify extreme weather events, such as the 2020 derecho.
  • CoCoRaHS data is used for drought monitoring and other agricultural programs.
• Listener Engagement:
  • Encouragement for listeners in underrepresented areas like Northwest, West Central, and North Central Iowa to join CoCoRaHS.
• This podcast conversation continues with a discussion about a weather station network called NEWA (Network for Environment and Weather Applications), as discussed by Dan Fillius and Dr. Suzanne Slack.
• NEWA is a weather station network originally from Cornell University that provides weather data and applications for crop management, especially for fruit and vegetable growers.
• The network includes various apps that use weather data to help make decisions about pest control, disease management, and horticultural practices.
• NEWA integrates degree-day based and humidity-based models for predicting pest and disease issues in crops like apples, cabbage, potatoes, and tomatoes.
• Growers can join NEWA by purchasing a compatible weather station (costing between $1500-$3000) and paying an annual fee of $290 (for non-member states).
• The accuracy of predictions is best when a weather station is within about 5 kilometers of the crops.
• Anyone can access basic weather data and some predictive models on the NEWA website for free, even without owning a weather station.
• Dr. Slack is working to make Iowa a member state of NEWA by 2025, which requires six weather stations in the state (currently there are four).
• If Iowa becomes a member state, the annual fee for Iowa growers would be eliminated.
• Dr. Slack encourages interested growers to contact her for more information about joining NEWA.

• It's Dan Fillius' birthday (July 18th), and Justin Glisan provides weather information from his birth date in 1980.
• The weather forecast for the coming week is seasonal with a 30% chance of thunderstorms and temperatures in the low to mid 80s.
• They discuss recent weather events, including a heat dome and a derecho that affected the Midwest.
• An EF1 tornado moved through the Des Moines metro area, causing damage but no injuries or fatalities.
• Dan shares information about a recent Zoom call organized by the University of Wisconsin for growers to ask questions about plant diseases.
• They discuss various plant issues, including:
  • A potential tobacco mosaic virus affecting peppers and tomatoes
  • Squash bugs hatching and control methods
  • Powdery mildew prevention and treatment
  • Aster yellows in garlic crops (lack of!)
  • Garlic rust observed in Decorah
• The hosts mention that they will be away next week, but a special podcast about weather stations will be released.
• The next regular episode will be in the first week of August.

• The hosts discuss a significant flooding event in Des Moines on July 11, 1993, which left 250,000 people without water for several day

• Current weather conditions:

• Recent flooding issues are improving, with river levels falling
  • EXCEPT: Major flooding along the Mississippi River affecting multiple locations
• The first 10 days of July have been about 4°F below average for Iowa
• Widespread rainfall occurred recently, with the state receiving about 175% of normal precipitation

• Recent weather events:

• Severe hail damage reported in North Central Iowa, affecting soybean and corn fields
• Multiple waves of thunderstorms brought heavy rainfall to parts of Iowa
• Remnants of Hurricane Beryl affected weather patterns in the Midwest

• Upcoming weather forecast:

• Temperatures expected to rise to 90°F over the weekend, then cool back to the 80s
• A gradient of temperatures predicted across Iowa in the 6-10 day outlook

• Climate and agricultural impacts:

• Cool temperatures and excess moisture are causing delays in crop growth in some areas

• Vegetable crop issues:

• Zoom call scheduled for July 15th with extension experts to discuss disease and pest management
• Various diseases reported, including black rot in cabbage and kale
• Bacterial leaf spot and Phytophthora blight affecting peppers in eastern Iowa
• Rhubarb crown rot and carrot rust fly issues reported in Tripoli
• Corn earworm severely impacting early sweet corn crops
• Lettuce drop (Sclerotinia) affecting various crops, including Napa cabbage
• Cucumber beetles causing significant crop losses in some areas
• Watermelons nearly ready for harvest in Muscatine
• Japanese beetles not significantly impacting sweet corn pollination
• Onion purple blotch observed, potentially causing storage issues
  • Conventional onion growers using weekly fungicide treatments
• Pre-emergent herbicides effectively controlling weeds in onion fields
• Discussion of how onion rot can affect different layers within the onion

1. Weather recap:
   • Recent severe weather events, including tornado warnings and heavy precipitation in parts of Iowa
   • Flooding has been an issue in northern, northwest, and parts of southern Iowa
2. Weather forecast:
   • Temperatures are expected to moderate back to normal or slightly below average in the coming week
     • The weekend looks pleasant
     • Cooler nights expected
   • Widespread rainfall is forecast for the 4th of July, with 1.5-2 inches expected in northern Iowa and 0.25-1.25 inches in southern Iowa
   • Rain chances returning Sunday night into Monday
3. Climate outlook:
   • The 6-10 day outlook shows a cool signal for the entire state and a slight dry signal for precipitation
   • The July outlook has shifted to elevated wetness, especially in northeast Iowa
4. Fourth of July weather:
   • Chances of showers and thunderstorms are expected, which is typical for the holiday
   • Fireworks may contribute to hazy and foggy conditions on July 5th, especially given the current wet conditions and high dew points
5. Agricultural updates:
   • Garlic harvest is underway
   • Black rot affecting cabbage family crops due to wet conditions
   • Pepper leaf spot issues observed
   • Earwig pressure in cabbage, strawberries
   • Sweet corn harvest beginning, with challenges due to wet fields and early corn earworm presence
     • Early arrival of corn earworm is causing challenges for sweet corn growers, especially with difficulty in applying pesticides due to wet conditions.
6. Farm recovery:
   • Update on Sweet Season Farm rebuilding after losing tunnels to wind damage
7. Cultivation techniques:
   • Discussion of stale bedding and using a field cultivator instead of a rototiller for better soil and weed management in wet conditions
8. Pest control
   • Advice on fencing corn fields to protect against raccoons
9. Hurricane Beryl - Mentioned as the earliest Category 4 (or possibly 5) hurricane on record, highlighting concerns about warm sea surface temperatures

Podcast summary generated using claude.ai and perplexity.ai

This podcast highlights the challenges farmers are facing due to recent severe weather events and provides updates on crop progress and pest issues.

Recent severe weather events:

• Significant flooding in Northwest and North Central Iowa, with some areas receiving 7-13 inches of rain over 72 hours
• Record-breaking river crests on the Big Sioux, Little Sioux, and West Fork of the Des Moines River, surpassing 1993 levels.
• Multiple funnel cloud sightings and weak tornadoes across the state.
  • Explanation of funnel cloud formation due to strong updrafts and horizontal spin from outflow boundaries
• Extreme heat, with very high overnight temperatures in the 80s overnight in some areas.

Historical weather event:

• On June 27, 1953, an F5 tornado struck Cass and Adair counties, killing one person and injuring two others

The weather forecast includes:

• • Chances of showers and thunderstorms in the coming days.
  • A shift towards more moderate temperatures, with highs in the mid-80s and lows in the mid-60s expected for Central Iowa, though still above average.
  • Continued elevated probability of wetter conditions.

Climate forecast:

• Temperatures trending towards normal for early July
• Elevated chances of wetter conditions in the 6-10 and 8-14 day outlooks

Crop updates:

1. • Some farmers experienced hail damage to tomatoes, peppers, and sweet corn.
   • The first sweet corn of the season was harvested on June 24th using special early-season growing techniques.
   • Japanese beetles are causing issues for some crops, particularly sweet corn.
   • Corn earworms and squash vine borers are also active.

Podcast summary created using Claude.ai and Perplexity.ai

•Historical weather note:

• Unusually cool weather and frost reported in parts of Iowa on June 21-22, 1902.

• Recent weather highlights:

• Southeast Iowa has been experiencing dryness, reflected in the drought monitor.
• Northern Iowa has received about 2 inches of rain in the last two weeks.
• High wind events caused damage to greenhouses and tunnels in northeastern Iowa.

• Weather forecast:

• Unsettled pattern with chances of showers and thunderstorms.
• Temperatures in the 90s expected early next week.
• Northern Iowa may see 3-5 inches of rain in the next 36 hours.
• At least an inch of rain expected statewide.

• Recent weather events:

• Dryness in southeastern Iowa
• High wind events in northeastern Iowa damaging farm structures
• Large hail in western Iowa

• Climate outlook:

• Warmer than average temperatures predicted for the next 6-14 days and through September.
• Mixed precipitation signals: wetter in short-term
• July may end up being downgraded to "equal chances"

• Crop and pest updates:

• Japanese beetles are starting to appear.
• Powdery mildew affecting peas.
• Black raspberries are highly productive this year.
• Strawberry season is ending; time for field renovation.
• Downy mildew affecting some sunflowers
• Leaf hoppers causing damage to various crops
• Sweet corn expected around second week of July for many growers
• Garlic scapes affected by anthracnose
• Imported cabbage worm moths and damage observed on brassicas.
• Sap beetles seen in peonies and Napa cabbage.

• Irrigation systems are being set up due to drier conditions and warmer forecasts.

Summary created using Claude.ai and Perplexity.ai

• Iowa experienced one of the wettest meteorological springs on record for most of Iowa (March-May 2024), ending a long drought that had persisted since 2020.
  • It was the first time since June 2020 that there was no drought anywhere in Iowa, with only abnormally dry conditions remaining in some areas.
• Precipitation levels were in the top 10 wettest on record for 7 out of 9 climate divisions in Iowa.
• The wet spring helped replenish soil moisture, stream flows, and shallow aquifers, though deeper aquifers will take years to fully recover.
• Growing degree days were above average while stress degree days (temperatures above 86°F) were slightly below average, providing favorable conditions for plant growth.
• The last frost occurred around late April in central Iowa, allowing an extended spring growing season.
• Vegetable growers reported good germination and growth without needing to irrigate due to the ample rainfall.
• However, some growers fell behind on transplanting starts and succession plantings due to the wet fields.
• Succession planting of crops like cucumbers, zucchini, and radishes was impacted by the delays.
• Overall, it was described as an archetypal, pleasant spring after coming out of a multi-year drought.

Summarized using claude.ai and perplexity.ai

We discussed the rare occurrence of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) being visible in central parts of the United States, including Iowa and Missouri on May 10-11, 2024.

• The Northern Lights were visible much farther south than usual, including central Missouri, due to a powerful G5 class geomagnetic storm caused by coronal mass ejections and solar flares from the Sun
• Justin, vividly recalls seeing the Aurora in Columbia, Missouri, around 20 years ago during another strong geomagnetic storm, describing it as brighter than the ones he witnessed in Fairbanks, Alaska
• The hosts explain how the different colors (green from nitrogen, pink from oxygen) are produced by the interaction of charged particles with gases in the Earth's atmosphere
• They discuss the potential impacts of such space weather events on GPS, telecommunications, and electrical grids, necessitating precautionary measures like shutting down satellites and power grids
• There were some agricultural impacts reported, like disrupted GPS on farm equipment during the planting season.
• The conversation also touches upon the hosts' humorous anecdotes and pop culture references related to the Northern Lights phenomenon.

Podcast summary generated using claude.ai and perplexity.ai

• The hosts discussed the weather history of Iowa in 1951, which saw unusually heavy precipitation after a dry start to the year, echoing the current wet conditions in the state.
• They provided a forecast for the coming week, predicting 1-2 inches of rainfall from thunderstorms across Iowa, with temperatures in the low 80s during the day and low 60s overnight.
• The long-range outlooks showed a warm signal for the next 6-10 days, followed by a cooler period in the 8-14 day range, with near-normal precipitation expected.

• They discussed a derecho (widespread, long-lived wind storm) that impacted Iowa on the previous Thursday night/Friday morning, causing damage from high winds and tornadoes.
• The hosts provided detailed explanations of derechos, including their definition, types (progressive vs. serial), and the atmospheric conditions that lead to such events.
• The recent derecho in Iowa had tornadoes and high winds concentrated in the central and eastern parts of the state, causing damage to structures, trees, and outbuildings.
• The hosts provided a comprehensive explanation of derechos, which are widespread, long-lived wind storms. Key points:

• • A derecho must travel at least 400 miles, be at least 60 miles wide, and have a majority of wind gusts 58 mph or greater within that swath.
  • There are two types: progressive derechos (like August 2020) and serial/cold front-driven derechos (like December 2021 and the recent event).
  • The December 2021 derecho had 63 tornadoes and exceptionally strong non-thunderstorm gradient winds due to a steep pressure gradient between a low and high pressure system.

• They also discussed the impact of the recent heavy rains on field tiles, ponding, and the potential for replenishing irrigation ponds.
• Impacts on specialty crops like high insect pressure from overwintered pests, strawberry peak, tomato spotted wilt virus found in greenhouse marigolds.
• Some vegetable growers are facing challenges getting liability insurance coverage for leafy greens production due to recent foodborne illness outbreaks.

Summary generated using claude.ai and perplexity.ai

• Justin Glisan, the state climatologist, provides updates on the current and upcoming weather forecasts, including precipitation totals, severe weather risks, and temperature outlooks for the next week.
• Madelynn Wuestenberg shares the Climate Prediction Center's forecasts for temperature and precipitation over different time periods, indicating near-normal conditions for Iowa in the short term.
• The drought situation in Iowa has significantly improved, with 66% of the state now out of drought conditions and only 20% experiencing moderate drought (D1)
• Dan Fillius discusses the impacts of the wet weather on weed control, highlighting the effectiveness of pre-emergent herbicides for some growers and the challenges of cultivation due to frequent rains.
• The conversation also touches on pest management, with Dan providing advice on identifying and controlling thrips and spider mites.
• Focused on the May 21st, 2024 tornado outbreak in Iowa that caused significant damage, especially in Greenfield where an EF3 or potentially EF4/EF5 tornado struck
• Justin and Dan commend the National Weather Service for their efforts in communicating severe weather warnings and express gratitude for Justin's timely email updates during the recent tornado event.
• Justin Glisan provided details on:
  • The setup that led to the outbreak
  • Number of tornado reports
  • Widespread impacts of hail, straight-line winds, heavy rainfall
  • the advanced forecasting capabilities that allowed warnings of the severe weather risk